One whose troops repeatedly congregate in small groups here and there, whispering together, has lost the masses. One who frequently grants rewards is in deep distress. One who frequently imposes punishments is in great difficulty. One who is at first excessively brutal and then fears the masses is the pinnacle of stupidity.

If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.

Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

Rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him

Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.

Hiding order beneath the cloak of disorder is simply a question of subdivision; concealing courage under a show of timidity presupposes a fund of latent energy; masking strength with weakness is to be effected by tactical dispositions.

Of all rewards none [is] more liberal than those given to secret agents.